Give it some Welly! New community hub and cafe opens

An under-used bowling green and pavilion has been transformed into a community hub, cafe and training centre.

It is the brainchild ofBury Employment Support and Training (Bury EST), who took over the management of the Manchester Road Park facility in April 2014.

Since then it has worked to expand the facilities, keeping the bowling green going while turning the
pavilion into a multi-purpose community hub. This will incorporate a café and offer support and work experience to disabled and disadvantaged residents. 

Mike Spurr, Bury EST manager, said: “We’ve worked tirelessly with more than 35 customers and
volunteers to raise funds and convert the grounds and pavilion into a working bowling club and operating cafe.

“Our customers come from a variety of disabled or disadvantaged backgrounds – for example, people with learning or physical disabilities, autism, and those recovering from drug or alcohol dependencies
– so their contribution is even more exceptional.

“Our team has included colleagues from the council and community police officers. Not only has the project taken shape in the physical sense of the building, but in a marked increase in the health and mobility of our customers and an improvement in their confidence and self esteem.”

Mike added: “We want to give our customers more skills, qualifications and on-the-job training, to increase their independence and maximise their chances of meaningful employment.

“The success of the project has been so astonishing that Bury EST is now in a position to offer employment to three customers, working predominately at the park, with the potential of offering more employment opportunities to local disabled and disadvantage customers as the project continues.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 23 September 2014.

Picture attached: The new Welly community hub and cafe.